Managing our Attention managing attention

by Tom Carroll

I just listened to Seth Goldstein of Root markets talk at eTech 2006. At one point he talks about comparing and creating different views of our attention which may result in a better understanding of ourselves. He also made it clear that his interests were in the monetization of attention. I really don’t share Seth Goldstein passion for interacting with ones’ attention data. I really don’t want to have to spend my attention managing my attention. I seek first attention efficiencies that remove from my attention those things that are not core to me but yet are required, for instance finding cheap air fare’s to my desired vacation spots. The reason for that is I value my attention far more than consumers of my value it. The acquisition of money and things of value is an activity that knows no bounds, time is finite and irrecoverable.

So, as attention companies and services become available one of the key requirements is to provide the value of attention with out requiring addition administration of the attention. I also wonder what is the value of the attention I spend managing my attention? Developers of attention services may be interested in the attention I spend managing my attention. I guess it would allow for better feedback on the developers work.

Fundamentally attention efficiencies will be more valuable than some monetary form of compensation. I think monetization of attention will become a massive economy and the folks at Root markets are helping to build that economy, thanks and keep up the good work.